Calling back to US
 

Does anyone have any ideas on how to call back to the US from Aruba without paying 3 bucks a minute? Thanks! :)

Have to tell you, Aruba gets my vote as the Caribbean island with the most difficult telecommunications! Even Mexico is much easier. Not only is it expensive, but our calling cards (AT&T) did not work (and I checked with AT&T in advance and got special instructions)and we had to resort to using a pay phone with an American Express credit card (and waiting in line for 45 minutes to do so) or calling collect (which also sometimes did not work). We went a few years ago without our kids and the difficulty calling really stressed me out. I would rent a cell phone with international service when you get there. It won't be cheap, but at least the calling will be easier! Also, consider using e-mail to communicate as much as possible, it is so much better than trying to call.

MCI had/has a card which is $.45/min, but they are not in stock this week (the were last week) and I am leaving Saturday so I didn't know if anyone knew of another option. 45 cents a minute is really good though...will keep looking. Thanks!

There is a small shopping area attached to the Alhambra Casino. In the shopping area there is a store that has phones that charge $.60 a minute (yes, I said sixty cents a minute) to call the USA. Their hours are posted on the store. They are not open 24 hours a day. I think that is about the cheapest I have ever seen phone calls to the USA.

The kiosk at the Alhambra Shopping Bazaar that Shirley mentioned is open from 4pm to 11pm. Reliable, clear connections. Can't beat the 60-cent/minute charge if you are in the area. But their times aren't necessarily convenient for everyone.

For all the raves I can give Aruba, their phone company is not tourist-friendly, that's for sure. Seems like their system is not compatible with ATT or any of the larger phone companies we're familiar with. They do sell their own pre-paid cards (setarnet) on the island that can be used at several locations.

ADVICE:
Do not use the 'blue phones' (you'll recognize them, trust me) or your credit card such as VISA or MC even if it's an ATT-MC. Horrendous fees that we won't even discuss here. Ditto for collect calls back to US.

Best thing to do is if you want to talk to your family, set a time when THEY can call YOU in Aruba. Much more economical.

buy a ventana calling card at any Coastal station in Aruba. $5.00 for 30 minutes. Use it at a pay phone or for $1 extra per call at your hotel. We used it at Marriott in Oct.